ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ENGINEERING BIOLOGY (Control Engineering)

Department of Engineering Science in association with Kellogg College

The Department of Engineering Science intends to appoint an Associate Professor of Engineering Biology (Control Engineering) from 5th April 2027 or sooner if possible. The successful candidate will work at the Department of Engineering Science (Central Oxford, OX1 3PJ) and will be offered a Non-Tutorial Fellowship at Kellogg College under arrangements described in the Job Description. The combined salary will be on a scale currently from £58,265 p.a. to £77,645 per annum plus additional benefits (see the Job Description for full details). The appointment will be initially for five years at which point, upon completion of a successful review, the post-holder will be eligible for reappointment to the retiring age.

This appointment will strengthen the Department’s research in Engineering Biology and its intersection with Control Engineering and Artificial Intelligence. The successful candidate will join the Control Group, whose current expertise in this area combines theory (mathematical modelling, optimal and stochastic control), Machine Learning/AI algorithms, software development, hardware (bioreactors, microfluidics and bespoke microscopy) and applies this toolset to a range of applications such as agriculture, biosensing and biomedicine. Candidates with research interests that align with or fall outside of the above areas are also welcome.

The successful candidate will engage in advanced study and academic research, lecture and teach undergraduate and graduate students and contribute to the academic administration of the Department of Engineering Science.

On research, they will lead an independent research group within the broad scope of Engineering Biology and Control Engineering or AI. They will contribute to the long-term vision for Engineering Biology in Oxford, through discussions and collaborations with academics, industry partners, sector professionals and sponsors, by developing links within the Department of Engineering Science, with other departments across the University, and elsewhere as appropriate.

The department hosts the Engineering Biology Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) and is developing a new MSc in Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Biology. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to current and emerging areas of knowledge that are relevant and important to the Modelling, Methods and Instrumentation aspects of this MSc, group projects on the CDT and the MSc, as well as to the MSc's operation. Graduate teaching will also involve supervision of Masters and Doctoral students.

Candidates should hold a doctorate (or be close to completion) in Engineering Biology with Control Engineering or AI. By “close to completion” we mean that the thesis will have been submitted for examination at the time the application is made.

Candidates will have a proven research track record, evidenced by peer reviewed publications and collaborations, and relevant teaching experience. They will have the ability to teach effectively, both at undergraduate and graduate levels, and have excellent interpersonal skills for undertaking small group teaching.

The successful candidate will act as a College Advisor to students in Kellogg College, where they will play a role in the academic and cultural life of the college.

To make an application, you will need to submit a supporting statement, a CV (including details of your most relevant publications) and a research proposal in a combined PDF totaling no more than 6 pages. You should not submit a separate cover letter, but if you do, it will be counted within the 6 page limit. Please do not attach additional material as your application will not be considered if it is overlength. Further details on the requirements for each of these documents can be found in the job description which can be obtained here.

The job reference is: DF26KELC/185932. Please quote this in all correspondence. The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on Monday 15 June 2026. Initial online interviews are expected to take place in the first couple of weeks of August with in person interviews for shortlisted candidates in September.

For queries about the post that are not answered in the job description please contact Professor Jean-Baptiste Lugagne (academic.recruitment@eng.ox.ac.uk).